So... a couple weeks ago, I went stomping into Walnut Grill (the restaurant that I waitress at) telling two of my co-worker friends how I was on strike from going home, and how much I hated it there.

That was OBVIOUSLY a big, fat lie... cause this past Friday, I went home, and I did NOT hate it.

Okay, so I went home partially cause I needed a haircut. But I was also in some serious need of catching up with some of the people I love.

I dropped my dog (Ryeleigh) off to spend a week at "dog camp", where he'll be able to run out at my dad's camp with other dogs, and play 23 hours a day with my dad's Golden Retriever (Seamus). I was talking online with my mom last night, and she was giving me the play-by-play of how he was doing... some of the updates being "he's looking at my dinner plate, wanting to lick it clean" and "now Seamus is humping him". Thanks mom, I REALLY needed to know that.

Anyways, I also stopped at Becker to see who I could bump into. Within thirty seconds of being there, I saw my FAVORITE WCUC dj, Matt Huha!!! Matt does this really great block every Monday-Friday, 3-6 for the university radio station. Last semester, I spent a lot of my free time calling in and requesting songs, or just calling to bug him. I REALLY miss listening to his block, not gonna lie. Anyways, he gave me a hug, we talked for a few minutes, and I let him get back to his dj-ing. He told me he reads this every week!!! How awesome is THAT? I bet he'll read this!!! SOOOOO, HI Matt!!!! YOUUUUUU rock!

I also talked to my supervisor for my internship at Jack Horner, Dr. Hilton. Dr. Hilton is also the chair of the Communication department, so if you ever spend any time in Becker, I'm sure you know her, or will know her. I told her how well my internship was going, and she told me that my supervisor HERE spoke with her last week and nothing but good things to say about me. I'm really glad to hear that, as I've been working really hard to make Clarion look good (along with myself, of course).

After I left Becker, I got my haircut, and basically spent the rest of the evening with my dad, until I went out to meet up with some friends. I basically designated this trip home as a "hometown friends" visit, so I'm sorry if I didn't see any CU people (I'll be home the entire week after Clarion's "winter" break... I promise to make visits). I saw my first friend ever, Briana, who I've literally been friends with since I was eight months old. I also saw my friend AJ, one of my best friends Carrie (who I hadn't seen since this summer, as far as I can remember), and my ex-boyfriend. Went to this little bar with him and Carrie. Weird. Long story. To sum it up in a sentence or two, we've been friends forever, we'll probably always be friends.

I had to wake up super early the following morning to make it back to Pittsburgh in time to waitress that morning, but the short (17 hour) trip home was all I REALLY needed. A quick little Clarion fix will satisfy me until I make it home for a week from March 17-23. Mark it in your calendar's, Clarion... I'm comin' hooooome!!!!

I DO like home. Is that weird? It's about ten degrees colder in Clarion than in Pittsburgh, there's a LOT more snow, the roads aren't EVER snowplowed thoroughly, there's always the chance of hitting a deer, and I had to use my highbeams for the first time in nearly two months.

Nonetheless, I love it.Home is where my best friends are (both Clarion natives and my college friends). In addition,my family and 95% of the people I know are in Clarion. I've fallen in love while in Clarion. I've gone to three schools at Clarion. I've learned to drive, had several jobs, and made memories that I'll never forget. Home is quiet, there aren't many stoplights, and you can go out in a long-sleeved t-shirt and jeans and be in perfectly fine attire. A sweatshirt even works. I'm able to get my daily requirement of laughs, hugs, and other necessities. Home has a Walmart where you can get BOTH groceries and clothing (I have YET to find a Super Walmart in Pittsburgh within reasonable driving distances from Shadyside) . Home has my bank. Home is irreplaceable, regardless of how much I love it in Shadyside, and what opportunities I am presented with living here. Home is where my heart is.